Table of Contents
Foreword Martin K.A. Morgan vii
Preface xi
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 The Germans' Brilliant Idea 11
Chapter 2 Training a Brit Paratrooper 24
Chapter 3 America Joins the Fight 39
Chapter 4 Canada: Standing on Guard 45
Chapter 5 Getting Gliders Off the Ground 63
Chapter 6 The Germans on the Defensive 75
Chapter 7 The "All Americans" Prepare 80
Chapter 8 Pathfinders and Paradummies 86
Chapter 9 The British/Canadian Preparations 93
Chapter 10 The Sharpening of Knives 100
Chapter 11 The Decision to Go 117
Chapter 12 The British/Canadian Take-Off & Drop 135
Chapter 13 Target: Sainte-Mère-Église 141
Chapter 14 The Canadian Drop 150
Chapter 15 The 101st's Jump 155
Chapter 16 Shootout at the W-X-Y-Z Complex, the Fight for Brécourt Manor, and Other Skirmishes 174
Chapter 17 Battle for the Orne Bridges 192
Chapter 18 Disaster at the Merville Battery 203
Chapter 19 Securing Pegasus Bridge 219
Chapter 20 Death at the Château, Battle at the Crossroads 229
Chapter 21 Battle of Sainte-Mère-Église 241
Chapter 22 Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer 253
Chapter 23 Hell in the Hedgerows 264
Chapter 24 The Battle for Chef-du-Pont & La Fière Bridge 271
Chapter 25 D-Day Plus 1-And Beyond 285
Chapter 26 The Battle for Bréville 293
Chapter 27 Final Fight for La Fière 297
Chapter 28 The Battles for Carentan & Graignes 305
Epilogue 321
Acknowledgments 328
Sources 331
Bibliography 351
Index 364